Enhancement of damping response in polymers and composites by the addition of graphene nanoplatelets

The damping characteristics of advanced lightweight composites are of paramount importance for a variety of applications particularly those employing composite parts or components operating under dynamic external loading. Graphene has been shown to possess high stiffness and strength and is widely esteemed as an ideal additive for enhancing the mechanical properties of polymeric, ceramic and even metallic composite matrices. However, it has been postulated that if such behaviour can be combined with increased fracture toughness and damping characteristics then a whole new class of multifunctional composites could emerge. In this work the damping response of carbon fibre/polymer composites (CFRPs) whose matrix is doped with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) at various concentrations, is examined in detail. The results presented here indicate that the addition of GNPs into both the neat polymer and the CFRP, affects significantly the damping behaviour. In particular, for the CFRP a significant increase of damping capacity is observed for low concentrations in the range of 0.15-1 wt%, whereas for higher concentrations the corresponding enhancement does not follow a clear trend. Plausible explanation for this behaviour is presented herein.

Automated summary

The addition of graphene nanoplatelets has a significant effect on the damping characteristics of carbon fiber/polymer composites, with different concentrations yielding different results.